We need to keep a good run going, says Thamesmead Town boss Keith McMahon

THAMESMEAD TOWN manager Keith McMahon says the return of influential midfielder Ross Lover from injury feels like a new signing for the club.



Lover came off the bench at the half-way point of last Saturday’s 2-1 home win over Waltham Forest – a result that puts the Bayliss Avenue outfit in fifth-place in the Ryman League Division One North table, with 27 points from 15 games.

“Saturday was excellent,” reflected a delighted McMahon, who has bolstered his forward line recently with the introduction of Stuart Zanone from Rochester United and former Maidstone United attacker Baff Addae, who has arrived from Crawley Down Gatwick.

“Waltham Forest were a good side.  The first 25 minutes we were superb.  We lined up differently. We had Stuart Zanone making his debut in the league and our new signing Baff Addae from Crawley Down and he started really well and they both fitted in really well.

“We went 1-0 up within a minute and Stuart put Sean Roberts through and we was 1-0 up with a great bit of football and then we scored through Rob Carter.

“After 20 minutes we were 2-0 up and could have gone further in front.

“They had a decent spell and we defended really well. They scored with about ten minutes to go and we saw the game out.

“It was a really good game with both teams going forward. I was pleased with the performance, three points and it was a big three points and it puts us in a good place as well.”

McMahon believes he has his forward line sorted out, following the arrival of his two new arrivals.

“I’ve been saying for a while I needed goals in our team,” admitted McMahon.

“We’re a side, over the years, that are tough to break down.   We’ve always been excellent defensively, even this season my back four and the goalkeeper and midfielders have defensive wise been exceptional and we’ve been going to sides and not finishing teams off. We’re getting 1-0’s and 2-0’s and I’ve been watching Stuart.  He’s a natural goalscorer and scored on his debut at Faversham (in the Ryman League Cup) and did really well.

“Baff was available as well. He scored 15 times for Maidstone last year and scored some goals for Crawley Down this season.  They slashed some of their budget at Crawley Down and he’s a localish lad to us and he was interested so I was really pleased to sign him.

“He’s not playing up top. Rob Carter has really formed a really good partnership with Stuart and he’s playing behind the hole and he’s been excellent there. He played there on Saturday, he tired after 65 minutes but apart from that he was superb. He gives us the attacking option going forward and let’s everyone else defend.”

McMahon takes his side to sixth-place Potters Bar Town tomorrow and a victory will consolidate their position in the play-off places.

“It’s a big game for us coming on the back of a 2-1 win over Waltham Forest,” said McMahon.

“We travel to Potters Bar, it’s going to be difficult especially with the conditions at the moment – it’s quite a heavy pitch as it is.

“It will be a tough game to come away with any result.

But McMahon hopes former Cray Wanderers star Lover will play a key role in taking three points back home from Hertfordshire.

When asked whether tomorrow’s game is a six-pointer, McMahon replied, “Going away there yes and no really because we’re away from home and we’re looking to take a draw.

“We’ve got two games in hand over Potters Bar. We’re miles away yet of thinking how far about the future and where we’d finish at the end of the season but we’re in a good place and need to stay in that place until Christmas and if we’re still amongst it then yes, the position of the league isn’t going to determine Saturday’s game.

“We need to keep a good run going with confidence.  We’re slowly getting our squad back.

“The massive thing was a league debut of Ross Lover who has been injured all season and he came on at half-time and he looked exceptional and without doubt he is the best player in our league and he showed his class on Saturday when he came on so it’s a huge bonus for me and he’s available tomorrow again but we’re not going to rush him back.

“To get someone of Ross’s quality in our midfield if feels like we’ve got three new players; Ross, Stuart and Baff.  Ross hopefully bridges the gap for goals.”

Visit Thamesmead Town’s website: www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk  

Potters Bar Town  v  Thamesmead Town
Ryman League Division One North
Saturday 1^st December 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Parkfield, Watkins Rise, off The Walk, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1QB